Posts Tagged ‘A-K’

Pocket 8′s Against Ace King

Hello,

Last night, I played with some friends. At some point I wagered against one of my friends. Back then I had pocket 8′s and then went all in. Four players were in the hand before the flop. After a while my friend called me with Ace King offsuit. I then said that I had made a good decision for as long as nobody had pockets most likely I would win. On the contrary, my friend said that Ace King was favored in our game. Who do you think is right?

Hope to hear from you soon!

Many thanks,
Kent
Kent,

Pocket eights are 55% to 44% to win against A-K offsuit. You are right, but it really is just a glorified coin flip. If the A-K was suited, you were only 52% to 48% to win.

About Odds

Hello,

I don’t want to offend you with this but you listed before the odds of 2 over cards improving to a pair by the river at only 26% while you listed the odds of AK hitting an A or a K by the river at even. Why these two are not the same? Anything behind this?

Thank you very much in advance.

Warm regards,
Dave
Dave,

The reason these values are different is because that in the case of the over cards, there are more known cards. If you hold 10-J and someone has a pair of nines, you know two of the possible cards and actually eliminated 4 outs from the calculation. In this case you know 6 of 52 cards.

The calculation of A-K improving to a pair is based on no other cards being known. In this case you only know 2 of 52 cards.

How Do You Find My Play?

Hi,

I joined a cash game at a local card room with blinds 2/3. If I remember it right, there were 7 players then fighting for the pot. Most of the players were really good, they have combined tight and aggressive style of play and have a few hundred to back them up.

At some point, I’m UTG with AQs. I then raised to $9. Folded to button who re-raised to 25$, blinds folded. Consequently, I opted to call as I’ve seen such player checked down several hands earlier part of the game. Pot was $55. Flop came and brought J35 rainbow. I then checked to the raiser while he placed $50 bet. Eventually, I placed him on a steal, AK, or a pocket pair below Jacks. I then called. Pot was $155. Turn came but was a blank. Later, we both checked. River came and was another Jack. I then had some winnings and so placed $125 bet. I thought he would never call with AK or pocket 10s.

At some point, he stood up and then asked me if I have a Jack. I was speechless then. Afterwards he called and then had the pot with his KK.

How do you find my play?

Your help will be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Billy
Billy,

You should have folded on the flop when you missed.